Ladies win

Sunday 20 October 2002

Fulham Ladies (3) 3 Birmingham Ladies (1) 1

A Rachel McArthur brace helped Fulham maintain their four-point cushion over Arsenal in the FA Nationwide Women's Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Birmingham. But they had to come from a goal behind when Steph Samuels capitalised on a mistake in the Fulham defence and coolly slotted past goalkeeper Jody Smith in the 18th minute.

However, it took just two minutes for the Londoners to find an equaliser when Rachel McArthur slotted home after some good build-up play. Two minutes later Kristy Moore put Gaute Haugenes' side ahead with another well-taken goal and McArthur's second five minutes before half-time sealed the victory for the league leaders.

Manager Haugenes said: "Even if we didn't play fantastic today, we still got the three points which is the important thing.

"It's completely in our own hands now. We've still got to play Arsenal twice and if we beat them there then we take it home. It's up to us if we want to win the title."